Brandon Bass has been one of the stronger parts of the Orlando offense this season. Having a legit power forward next to Dwight Howard and someone who could score in the low-post and shallow mid-range fit in really well with the Magic. Now it’s possible that he could be out for several months as he contemplates arthroscopic knee surgery. From the Orlando Sentinel:

After practice on Sunday, Magic power forward Brandon Bass told the Sentinel that he might need arthroscopic surgery if his left knee doesn’t improve.

“I might need to get it scoped, be out a few weeks,” Bass said. “I don’t know. We’ll see.”

Bass said he came down on his left in the second quarter of the game against the New York Knicks onThursday night and “heard a pop.”

Bass said his knee has been sore and has had some swelling since then.

The post goes on to discuss testing and possible timelines for Bass. Losing Bass would have two significant impacts. One, the Magic would have to step up efforts to replace Marcin Gortat and add some depth immediately. That probably means losing some talent on the wings. Two, it means a move back to the offensive push the Magic have relied on the past few seasons, more perimeter based, without anyone besides Howard able to post. Well, besides Hedo Turkoglu… ha ha ha.

Bass thinks it would only be a few weeks, but surgery is surgery, and sometimes it takes longer, sometimes it takes less time. With Orlando really clicking since the trade, this would be a significant hit to the Magic.

Otis needs to find a backup for DH ASAP. The 2 recent trades are working well for two reasons. First SVG is no longer forced to play Rashard Lewis. This allows better players who have been forced to sit on the bench to play and develop. Second, the acquisitions of both Hedo and Arenas have upped the tempo and taken the ball out of Jameer’s hands and limited his minutes. The fewer minutes Rashard and Jameer have played over the last 3 years, the better the Magic have performed. I suspect that SVG’s hands have been tied by Otis, as it is obvious neither of these players have fit his game plans. Jameer does not get the other players involved, he cannot play defense, and fast breaks are almost unheard of with Jameer handling the ball. Jameer walks the ball up court while the opposing team sets up to play defense. Was it a wonder the offense was struggling before the trade? We still need a backup at center since Otis gave away the farm in the phoenix trade. Jameer’s minutes could have been limited without the second trade. Hedo is the only upside I see in the phoenix trade, and he cost us Gortat, next years first round draft pick, and $3 million cash. If DH leaves after next year, and I suspect he will, Otis will leave the Magic holding one of the highest salaries in the NBA with absolutely no stars and an ominous future. When DH leaves, the genius of Otis Smith will be blatantly obvious. Take DH out of the lineup and look at what is left, and what we are paying, and it becomes obvious today. It appears to me that he is trying to keep Jameer in the lineup no matter what it cost the franchise or Mr Devoss. Otis – Please quit putting your love for Jameer’s needs ahead of the franchise.